Scale with automatic offline indication and related method

ABSTRACT

A scale and associated method automatically identify when a food product pricing scale is in an offline condition and changes a color condition on the scale display to alert scale operators of the offline condition.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to networked scales used toweigh food products in supermarkets, and more particularly to a scalethat provides a clear indication for operators when the scale goesoffline.

BACKGROUND

Scales have been used in stores such as supermarkets and groceries toweigh and price food items and to generate a pricing label for such fooditems. A typical store includes multiple scales located in multipleperishables departments. It is important that weighed items be pricedproperly and therefore scales are commonly connected into a storenetwork so that the latest pricing information can be provided to thescales in a timely manner. Various types of scale networks exist. Theproduct pricing offered by any given scale is only as accurate as thelast pricing updates provided to the scale through the network, andtherefore an issue arises when a scale drops offline of the network forsome reason as the scale may not receive updated pricing information.Scale operators may not recognize the potential problem in such cases.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method of alerting scale operators within a store thata food product pricing scale is in an offline condition is providedwhere the scale includes a weighing station having an associatedmechanism for producing weight indicative signals, and an operatorinterface screen including at least one color display, the scale furtherincluding a communications interface for communicating with anothercomputer device. The method involves changing a color condition of thecolor display as between online and offline conditions of the scale.

In another aspect, a method is provided in connection with a foodproduct scale located in a store, the scale including a weighing stationhaving an associated mechanism for producing weight indicative signals,and an operator interface screen including at least one color display,and the scale further including a communications interface forcommunicating with another computer device. The method provides anoperator with an indication that the scale has gone offline and involveschanging a color condition of at least a portion of the color display asbetween online and offline conditions of the scale.

In yet another aspect, a scale for use in weighing food productsincludes a weighing station for receiving food products to be weighed,the weighing station having an associated mechanism for producing weightindicative signals. A controller receives weight indicative signals fromthe mechanism and is operable to establish a price for a weighed foodproduct based in part upon a weight indicative signal produced for thatfood product. A communications interface is provided for connecting thecontroller with another computer device. An operator interface includesan operator display, the controller connected with the operator displayfor control thereof. The controller is operable to monitor thecommunications interface to determine an online or offline status of thescale. While the scale is online the controller controls the operatordisplay so as to present a portion of a visual interface in a firstcolor. While the scale is offline the scale controls the operatordisplay so as to present the portion of the visual interface in a secondcolor that is different than the first color.

In a further aspect, one or more of a visual and/or audio indication isused in connection with a food product weighing scale in a store toalert scale operators to an offline condition of the scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary food product scale;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the scale of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of multiple scales within a store;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary interface display during a scale onlinecondition;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary interface display during a scale offlinecondition; and

FIG. 6 is an exemplary interface display with a border area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 an exemplary scale 10 is shown including a weighstation 12 and a display 14. Weigh station 12 may take the form of aplatter-type member supported in relationship to a load cell (internalof the scale housing) that produces a weight indicative signal when afood item is placed on the weigh station 12 for weighing. Illustrateddisplay 14 may take the form of an LCD-type display, but othertechnologies could be used. In the illustrated embodiment the display 14is a touch screen-type display that also functions as a user inputdevice 16 by displaying image buttons/icons 18 that can be triggered orselected by an operator. The buttons/icons 18 allow for user selectionof an item to be weighed from a menu or group 21 of items 23 presentedto the user by display 14. In one variation the group 21 may be anumeric keypad allowing manual entry of product numbers. In anothervariation the group 21 may be images of specific products that might beweighed by the scale. A separate operator input device could also beprovided, for example, in the form of manually activated keys/buttonslocated alongside the display 14. A side portion 20 of the scale housingholds a label printer and associated supply of labels, which aredispensed through a label slot 22 in the housing. Although displayscreen 14 is shown incorporated into the housing of the scale 10, thedisplay could take the form of a marquee-type display located on asupport extending upward from the scale housing. In some implementations(e.g., a scale weigh and label system associated with a package wrappingmachine for prepack) the display need not be attached to thescale/printer via a support but could be a separately housed consolethat is logically attached to the scale/printer.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary schematic of the scale 10 isshown. The scale includes a controller 30, such as a microprocessorbased unit, connected to control the display 14 and user input 16 andconnected to receive weight indicative signals from the weighing station12. A print head 32 and associated supply of label stock 34 that can bemoved past the print head 32 is also shown. In one example the printhead 32 may be a thermal print head for use with thermally activatedlabel stock. However, other types of printing technologies and labelmedia could also be used. The controller 30 is also connected with acommunications interface 36, which may take the form of a standardconnector (and associated circuitry) for a USB, RS-232, Ethernet orother hard-wired communication line. In another example thecommunications interface 36 may be formed by a wireless communicationdevice such as an RF transceiver. The illustrated controller 30 includesassociated memory 38 for storing product information (e.g., productnames, characteristics and pricing stored in association withcorresponding product numbers).

Referring also to FIG. 3, an exemplary store plan 50 is shown withmultiple scales 10 in various store perishables departments 52, 54 and56 (e.g., such as the deli department, the meat and fish department, thebakery department and/or the fruit and vegetable departments), eachscale connected to a network 58 for communicating with one of the otherscales 10 and/or for communicating a store computer, which may belocated in the store as indicated by computer 60 or at a site remotefrom the store as indicated by computer 62. In a typical storeapplication, each scale receives product information updates (e.g.,price changes etc.) via the network connection so that the scales arecapable of pricing products accurately. The scales may receive the priceinformation directly from a store computer 60 or 62 or may receive priceupdates from one of the other scales. If a scale goes offline for somereason and fails to receive the latest price updates, subsequent use ofthat scale may result in the use of inaccurate pricing data and thusincorrect pricing of one or more products weighed by the scale.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the scale controller 30 includes acommunications interface monitor 40 to determine an online or offlinestatus of the scale. Various techniques may be used to implement thecommunications interface monitor. For example, in a scale incorporatingWindows software, Windows messaging within the scale may identify whenthere is a loss of connectivity. In another example the monitor mayinvolve repeatedly pinging a Server IP Address to confirm thatacknowledgment responses are received. In still another example, themonitor may involve repeatedly pinging a scale management PC IP addressto confirm that an acknowledgment response is received. In yet anotherexample, where the scale includes a web browser, a default browserhomepage may be used to identify an IP address, and the monitor mayrepeatedly ping the identified IP address to confirm that anacknowledgment response is received. Other variations are possible aswell depending upon the type of network connection and communicationsscheme used.

The online or offline status of the scale can be communicated to scaleoperators by making a color change on a selected portion or portions ofthe visual interface that is displayed. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, FIG.4 shows an interface screen that is displayed while the scale is onlineand FIG. 5 reflects the same interface screen as displayed while thescale is offline. In FIG. 4 a plurality of user selectable image areas70 are provided, some of which include associated text display windows.The image areas are displayed over the top of a background area 72,where the background area 72 has a common, online operating color (e.g.,light blue). In FIG. 5, the background area 72 is display in adifferent, offline operating color (e.g., bright red) as represented bythe diagonal lines in the background area 72. In the illustratedexample, colors displayed in the image areas 70 are the same as betweenthe online and offline display conditions. However, it is recognizedthat the colors displayed in those portions of the screen could bechanged as well. Moreover, rather than changing the color of thebackground 72, the color of the image areas could only be changed.

The desired result is to provide a color change that is visually obviousto scale operators. In the most preferred implementations the colorchange will be visually perceptible at a distance from the scale (e.g.,from at least 20 feet away) so that store personnel can readilyrecognize the offline situation even if they are not standing at thescale in preparation for using the scale. In this regard, othervariations are possible. For example, referring to FIG. 6 the displayedinterface screen may be presented with a border 74 that changes colorsas between the online and offline conditions of the scale. In someimplementations the portion or portions of the user interface that isdesignated for a color change as between the online and offlineconditions of the scale makes up at least 20% of the display screenarea, more preferably at least 30% if the display screen area and stillmore preferably at least 40% of the display screen area. While thecolors light blue and bright red are mentioned above for the colorchange, it is recognized that numerous variations are possible, providedthe colors are selected with sufficient contrast to be visually obviousto scale operators. Moreover, the use of the term “color” herein isintended to encompass the entire visible color spectrum, as well asblack, white and shades of gray. Further, while it is contemplated thatthe color change during the offline condition would be stable, it isrecognized that the color change could instead be a “flashing” colorchange (e.g., the color of the background area 72 repeatedly changesback and forth between light blue and red during the offline condition).Moreover, such a flashing color condition feature could be implementedby repeatedly alternating between one or more color characteristics(i.e., hue, saturation and brightness). Additionally, the flashingcondition could be implemented when a scale first goes offline until anoperator recognizes the situation (e.g., as by closing the text boxmentioned below) and thereafter the flashing condition could bediscontinued in favor of a stable color change that remains in place aslong as the scale remains offline.

In addition to producing a color change on one or more portions of thedisplay during the offline condition, the controller may generate amessage box on the display to advise the scale operator of the offlinecondition and provide information on how to proceed. By way of example,the message box may include text reading as:

-   -   The scale is no longer attached to the network.    -   This scale will no longer get pricing downloads.    -   Verify that the Ethernet cable is attached to the scale (try        connecting and disconnecting the cable) or, if this is a        wireless scale, make sure there is nothing blocking the scale        from being able to see the access point.    -   Scale IP address=111.222.222.222        The generation of this message box may interrupt other interface        functions of the scale, requiring the scale operator to close        out the message box before proceeding with a weighing operation        using the scale. In addition, even after the message box has        been closed, if the scale remains in the offline condition for a        certain period of time, the message box can be regenerated        again. Repeated display of the message box in this manner during        the offline condition of the scale may be more effective at        causing the scale operator to attempt to correct the offline        condition.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended byway of illustration and example only and is not intended to be taken byway of limitation. For example, in addition to changing a colorcondition of the display, an audible indication could be provided, suchas a beeping sound other tone. In some cases the audible indicationcould be used in place of the change in color condition of the display.Use of a flashing light on some other portion of the scale than thedisplay screen might also be used to indicate the offline condition.Other changes and modifications could be made.

What is claimed is:
 1. In connection with a food product scale locatedin a store, the scale including a weighing station having an associatedmechanism for producing weight indicative signals, and an operatorinterface screen including at least one color display, the scaleincluding a communications interface for communicating with anothercomputer device via a network, a method of providing a scale operatorwith an indication that the scale has gone offline of the network andthus no longer has a communications link to receive information from thecomputer device, the method comprising the steps of: the scaleautomatically determining its online or offline status by monitoring thecommunications interface, wherein the monitoring is achieved by one ormore of: utilizing Windows messaging within the scale to identify whenthere is a loss of connectivity; or the scale repeatedly pinging aServer IP Address; or the scale repeatedly pinging a scale management PCIP address; or the scale includes a web browser and a default browserhomepage is used to identify an IP address, and repeatedly pinging theidentified IP address; while the scale is online, presenting a portionof an operator interface via the operator interface screen in a firstcolor; while the scale is offline of the network, presenting the portionof the operator interface via the operator interface screen in a secondcolor that is different than the first color.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the operator interface is presented as a background withinterface indicia thereon: while the scale is online, the portion of theoperator interface presented in the first color is the background; whilethe scale is offline of the network, the portion of the operatorinterface presented in the second color is the background.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein the operator interface screen comprises a touchscreen display, the operator interface is presented as a background withoperator selectable image areas thereon: while the scale is online, theportion of the operator interface presented in the first color is one ofthe background or the selectable image areas; while the scale is offlineof the network, the portion of the operator interface presented in thesecond color is the same one of the background or the selectable imageareas.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein: while the scale is offline ofthe network, a message box is displayed advising the operator that thescale is offline.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein an operator can closethe message box.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion of theoperator interface for which change from the first color to the secondcolor occurs as between the online and offline conditions of the scalecomprises at least 30% of the area of the display.
 7. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the portion of the operator interface for which changefrom the first color to the second color occurs as between the onlineand offline conditions of the scale comprises at least 40% of the areaof the display.
 8. In connection with a food product scale located in astore, the scale including a weighing station having an associatedmechanism for producing weight indicative signals, and an operatorinterface screen including at least one color display, the scaleincluding a communications interface for communicating with anothercomputer device via a network, a method of providing a scale operatorwith an indication that the scale has gone offline of the network andthus no longer has a communications link to receive information from thecomputer device, the method comprising the steps of: the scaleautomatically determining its online or offline status by monitoring thecommunications interface; while the scale is online, presenting aportion of an operator interface via the operator interface screen in afirst color; while the scale is offline of the network, presenting theportion of the operator interface via the operator interface screen in asecond color that is different than the first color; while the scale isoffline of the network, a message box is displayed advising the operatorthat the scale is offline, wherein an operator can close the messagebox; wherein, after the message box has been closed, and if the scaleremains offline for a certain time period, the message box is displayedagain.
 9. In connection with a food product scale located in a store,the scale including a weighing station having an associated mechanismfor producing weight indicative signals, and an operator interfacescreen including at least one color display, the scale including acommunications interface for communicating with another computer devicevia a network, a method of providing a scale operator with an indicationthat the scale has gone offline of the network and thus no longer has acommunications link to receive information from the computer device, themethod comprising the steps of: the scale automatically determining itsonline or offline status by monitoring the communications interface;while the scale is online, presenting a portion of an operator interfacevia the operator interface screen in a first color; while the scale isoffline of the network, presenting the portion of the operator interfacevia the operator interface screen in a second color that is differentthan the first color; wherein the portion of the operator interface forwhich change from the first color to the second color occurs as betweenthe online and offline conditions of the scale comprises at least 20% ofthe area of the display.
 10. A method of alerting scale operators withina store that a food product pricing scale is in an offline condition inwhich the scale is unable to receive product pricing updates as opposedto an online condition in which the scale is able to received productpricing updates, where the scale includes a weighing station having anassociated mechanism for producing weight indicative signals, and anoperator interface screen including at least one color display, thescale including a communications interface for communicating withanother computer device, the method comprising the steps of: changing acolor condition of at least a portion of the color display as betweenonline and offline conditions of the scale; wherein the color conditionis displayed color of a background portion of the display and the changeof color condition can be viewed by an operator from at least twentyfeet away.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the changing of the colorcondition involves changing a color that is displayed on at least 20% ofthe area of the display.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the changingof the color condition involves changing a color that is displayed on atleast 30% of the area of the display.
 13. The method of claim 10 whereinthe changing of the color condition involves changing a color that isdisplayed on at least 40% of the area of the display.
 14. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the changing of the color condition further involvesimplementing a flashing screen feature during offline conditions.